Chase Utley

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #2 prospect in 2003
  While his Little League teammate Sean Burroughs' move from third base to second failed in 2002, Utley's switch from second to third was successful. He also improved his offensive numbers while making the jump from high Class A to Triple-A. Utley's sweet line-drive stroke and alley-to-alley power produced an International League-leading 39 doubles last year. He displayed a solid approach and handled breaking pitches well, especially for a player skipping Double-A. He moved closer to the plate and showed the ability to drive the ball hard to the opposite field. Utley's makeup allowed him to handle the position switch and skip a level at the same time. Utley never was a Gold Glove-caliber second baseman, and he won't win the award at the hot corner either. There are questions about his footwork and arm strength at third base. With hard work, he can be an average defender at either position. Until the Phillies signed David Bell, Utley was a natural choice to replace Scott Rolen. It's unclear where Utley will play in Triple-A, but he'd make a lot of sense as an offensive second baseman.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #7 prospect in 2002
  Utley was drafted out of Long Beach Poly High, the same school that produced Tony Gwynn and Milton Bradley, before spurning the Dodgers to attend UCLA. A Little League teammate of Padres prospect Sean Burroughs, Utley was reunited with him at the 2001 Futures Game. After Marlon Anderson hit .228 in 2000, the Philadelphia press hailed Utley as his successor. While Anderson had a career year in 2001, Utley was challenged by the Florida State League. Utley profiles as a productive hitter for average and generates good power with a quick bat. He has become more conscious of using the entire field. He will never be a Gold Glover, but the Phillies are thrilled with the progress he made with his range and double-play pivot. He has enough arm to play second base but lacks natural actions around the bag. Utley hit .203 against southpaws and his swing can get long through the strike zone. Utley could have debuted at Lakewood and posted better offensive numbers, but the Phillies wanted to test him. He'll make the jump to Reading with doubleplay partner Anderson Machado.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #5 prospect in 2001
  Drafted as a shortstop in the second round out of high school by the Dodgers, Utley spurned their offer to attend UCLA. He achieved All-America honors as a junior, batting .382 and leading the Pacific-10 Conference with 82 runs scored, before the Phillies used the 15th overall pick and $1.7 million to sign him. Utley was considered the best pure hitter available among college draft prospects, and he has plenty of sock for a middle infielder. He lived up to his reputation in his pro debut. He always has demonstrated a good idea of the strike zone and handles the bat well. Utley has drawn comparisons to Todd Walker (Rockies) and Adam Kennedy (Angels), two former first-round picks, based on both his offensive prowess and defensive shortcomings. At the plate, Utley needs to use the whole field more effectively. He's improving in that regard by staying inside pitches better and driving them to left-center. He's adjusting to the finer points of playing second base and will have to prove he can stick there. The Phillies envision Utley's bat fitting in nicely with their young nucleus in the near future. He's expected to begin a rapid ascent through the system by beginning 2001 in Clearwater.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #4 prospect in 2003
  After leading the IL in doubles in 2002, Utley challenged for the batting title a year later. He showed the ability to handle any pitch and trailed only Fernando Seguinol in on-base plus slugging percentage. A disciplined hitter, Utley has excellent hands that allow him to take pitches off the plate and foul off those he doesn't want. "The best hitter in the league," Rochester manager Phil Roof said. "He's not big but puts the bat head on the ball with authority and is a good RBI guy." Back at second base after spending 2002 learning how to play third as the Phillies looked for Scott Rolen's successor, Utley showed more confidence at the plate and in the field. He possesses average range and hands for the middle of the diamond, and his arm plays much better there than at the hot corner. He makes all the routine plays and should be an adequate defender.
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  Ranked International League #14 prospect in 2002
  After playing 2001 as a second baseman in the high Class A Florida State League, Utley skipped Double-A and moved to third. Philadelphia's possible successor to Scott Rolen enjoyed a productive and successful season. Utley's sweet line-drive stroke and alley-to-alley power produced a league-leading 39 doubles. He displayed a solid approach at the plate and handled breaking pitches well, especially for a player making that kind of jump. "He started off the season trying to pull everything, but then he showed he could drive the ball to left-center," Leiper said. "He's going to hit. Defensively, mechanically he needs to shore up some things to get better. He's unfamiliar over there." Managers were split on whether Utley can handle third base, where he made 28 errors. His detractors said he had shoddy footwork and lacked the arm strength get the ball across the diamond.
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  Ranked Florida State League #15 prospect in 2001
  When the Phillies drafted Utley last year out of UCLA, many expected him to be on the fast track given the struggles of incumbent second baseman Marlon Anderson. In Utley's first full season of pro ball, he showed he has some things to work on before unseating Anderson, who has rebounded. "He needs to see a lot more lefthanders," Butterfield said. "In order to an be everyday player and move up the ladder, he's going to have to hit lefthanded pitching." Utley batted just .203 against southpaws. He also needs to continue to improve his defense, though his footwork and ability to turn the double play improved. He should hit. Utley yanked a 97-mph Juan Cruz fastball into the right-field seats at Safeco Field during the Futures Game, and Pevey said Utley could develop into a Ryne Sandberg-type hitter. He may be too pull-conscious at this point. "He's the type of guy we saw not swing the bat well, but you could tell it was there," Tijerina said. "He has the potential to hit for average and power."
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  Ranked New York-Penn League #4 prospect in 2000
  The 15th overall pick in the 2000 draft, Utley signed late and didn't play his first game until July 30. He doubled and walked in four plate appearances that night and stayed hot for his entire five weeks with Batavia. Before the draft, Utley was heralded as a second baseman with uncommon offensive skills. Going to the wood bat full time, he hit the ball hard but not for power yet. His defense, which drew fewer raves, wasn’t bad at all according to Williamsport manager Curtis Wilkerson, a former major league infielder. "He could field and hit," Wilkerson said. "I really liked the way he handled himself around the bag." Still, the conversations about Utley usually go back to his bat. "Utley's definitely going to be an offensive player," Auburn manager John Massarelli said. "I'm not saying he's not a good defensive player too, but the stick's what's impressive about him. He sprays the ball around and hits everything hard."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #81 prospect in 2003

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  The 15th overall pick in the 2000 draft, Utley signed late and didn't play his first game until July 30. He doubled and walked in four plate appearances that night and stayed hot for his entire five weeks with Batavia. Before the draft, Utley was heralded as a second baseman with uncommon offensive skills. Going to the wood bat full time, he hit the ball hard but not for power yet. His defense, which drew fewer raves, wasn’t bad at all according to Williamsport manager Curtis Wilkerson, a former major league infielder. "He could field and hit," Wilkerson said. "I really liked the way he handled himself around the bag." Still, the conversations about Utley usually go back to his bat. "Utley's definitely going to be an offensive player," Auburn manager John Massarelli said. "I'm not saying he's not a good defensive player too, but the stick's what's impressive about him. He sprays the ball around and hits everything hard."